Race to cure: Going antiviral..

“We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” The last few weeks have shown us that we may breathe the same air, but some breathe less freely, that some are filled with dread every day for their children and systemic racism has conspired against some to have more frequent encounters with mortality. It has also become evident that those of us who have thought of ourselves as ‘colorblind’ and thus fair, the time has come “not to be blind to our differences.”

A virus and the virus

The recent events have really brought into heightened focus the pervasive and out-of-control nature of the virus that is racism. Just like the coronavirus COVID-19, racism too has infected many, spreads uncontrollably and too often kills, especially those with skin color as a comorbidity. However, unlike COVID-19, there is no vaccine that will eventually eradicate it, we will have to collectively figure out how to purge this insidious virus which has plagued our systems for many centuries.

The intersection of the two virus that have convulsed our nation also served to bring that impact of racism into focus. Many medical professionals currently overwhelmed with plight of black and brown coronavirus patients have called racism a public health crisis. They have committed to stand with protestors in absolute solidarity for the belief that racism unless eradicated will always be a greater threat to justice than the coronavirus. A post-virus America would nevertheless remain sick:

“Yes, wear a mask. Yes, do your best to maintain distance. Yes, wash your hands. And yes, absolutely yes, join your allies to abolish injustice.”

Science education and STEM fields are also impacted by the racism virus. We need all the diversity of thoughts and experiences we can get in order to creatively solve the problems we face and to unlock the secrets to a sustainable future. STEM professionals and academics have a huge influence on shaping the world — however of all the scientists and engineers in the U.S., only 3 percent are black men and just 2 percent are black women, according to the National Science Foundation.

Viral VUCA World

Just last month I talked about the pandemic slapping a new lens on our ‘VUCA world.’ It transformed VUCA from the traditional military elements of Volatility, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous to viral VUCA 3.0 elements, that are Vulnerability, Unprecedented, Contentious and Amplified. For dealing with VUCA, the strategy of VUCA 2.0 has been suggested for leaders: Vision, Understanding, Courage and Adaptability.

Now with the exposed onslaught of this intractable racism pandemic it is perhaps time for VUCA 4.0 as we move forward. In my view, we need to reflect upon our Values as a nation, community and at a personal level. We need to educate ourselves on the trauma caused by this virus, empathize, and stand in Unity against it. We need Commitment to action, to “start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” And all of this begins with Acknowledgement of the problems.

We agree that silence is complicity and we accept that it may be awkward and we may make mistakes, but we move forward, mindful of VUCA 4.0:

Values, Unity, Commitment, Acknowledgement

At 3M, our CEO Mike Roman and our Chief Diversity Officer Ann Anaya convened a virtual ‘Candid Conversation’ to listen and deepen understanding as a first response to the tragedy in our backyard. Thousands of 3Mers listened, as diverse leaders across 3M shared perspectives, personal experiences and optimism that we will move to action, united in solidarity. It was emotional, inspirational and reinforced the commitment to become anti-racist. 

On a personal level, I feel the urgency of the moment and have been educating myself on structural or systemic racism. Thanks to the many who have contributed by curating detailed anti-racism resources. Reading, reflecting and ruminating has helped to detect my own conditioning, reflect upon my own pockets of privilege and use a 'growth mindset' to plan my action steps. My children, and their friends, have been instrumental in shaping my thinking - silence is being complicit. They have educated me on the folly and danger of a ‘colorblind mentality’ - if I claim to care for equality I cannot be blind to inequality, cannot ignore the headwinds and tailwinds people experience and how that shapes their lives and narrative.  

I have started following people who are well-informed on the topic and amplifying their voices. Many books, raw and revealing articles, podcasts and heartbreaking statements of personal experiences have helped in understanding the situation, my own feelings and fuel the intense desire to act. One of the books that really spoke to me, and helped frame and reframe my thinking, is The Person You Mean to Be by Stern NYU Professor Dolly Chugh. It helps one understand bias and how to use ‘ordinary privilege’ to stand up against injustice while making the world and ourselves better.

We need to stand firmly in a position of anti-racism. "Neutrality kills.” 

Antiviral

Structural racism refers to the totality of ways in which societies foster racial discrimination through mutually reinforcing systems of housing, education, employment, earnings, benefits, credit, media, health care, and criminal justice. Science-based research has shown that when majority groups stay quiet, they inadvertently license the oppression of marginalized groups. In fact, those with power and privilege actually have an easier time getting heard. We all need to 'acknowledge, affirm and act' to take steps to combat racism and become anti-racists.

Racism is indeed a virus and much like COVID-19, spreads when its very existence is denied. We have to call attention to it, trace and isolate its carriers, only then containment can be attempted.

This virus, with no vaccine, warrants strong antiviral measures to be cured:

• DO NOT MASK it – expose it within yourself and anywhere you see it
• Promote SOCIAL CONVERGING on this issue – personal and professional stance
• MUST NOT WASH HANDS of this matter – because it impacts us all

And yes, absolutely yes, let’s join our allies to abolish injustice.

As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr wrote, “Every society has its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.“

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on antiviral measures for eradicating the racism virus.

#StayAwake